Mechanical calculator of geographical position from celestial observations



May 1, '1945. A. STEELE 2,374,733

MECHANICAL CALCULATOR 0F GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION FROM CELESTIAL OBSERVATIONS Filed July 25, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 Mid Erma) y 1, 1945. A. STEELE Y 2,374,788

MECHANICAL CALCULATOR OF GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION FROM CELESTIAL OBSERVATIONS Filed July 25, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 1, 1945. A. STEELE 2,374,738

MECHANICAL CALCULATOR OF GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION FROM CELESTIALOBSERVATIONS v Filed July 25, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 j I rwentor.

[04 56 (/7: fifee/e Patented May' 1, 1945 MECHANICAL CALCULATOR OF GEOGRAPH- ICAL POSITION FROM CELESTIAL B- SERVACIIONS .Louise A. Steele, Los Angeles, Calif. Application July 25, 1944, Serial No. 546,519 3 Claims. 101.. ss' 1) This invention relates to a device by means of which a person may readily calculate his geographical position after observing two selected separated heavenly bodies and determining their positions over the eartlis surface at the instant of observation.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simple, compact and efficient device or instrument of the above kind, which is economical to manufacture, easy to use and other wise well adapted to meet with a successful commercial use.

Specific objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the invention consists in the novel form,-combinatio-n and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described; shownin the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly broken away, of a calculator constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view thereof with'parts rotated to a different position to more clearly reveal details of construction.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the construction shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing a portion of the 180 degree arcuate longitude strip and its mounting and guide bracket.

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6 6 of Fig ure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section taken substantially on line 'I--I of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 5 indicates a globe having projecting polar pins 6 and I fixed therein. The south polar pin 1 may be fixed to and extended from a base 8 as at 9, so that the globe 5 is supported in a stationary position.

Rotatably mounted on the polar pins 6 and I spaced concentric relation to each other and in concentric surrounding relation to the globe 5 are two 360 degree longitude rings I0 and II. Rotatably mounted on the upper end of the north polar pin 6 is a mounting and guide bracket I2 for a 180 degree arcuate'longitude strip I3, the

bracket I2 having spaced aligned loops I4 through which the strip I3 slidably extends. The adjacent ends of two 90 degree arcuate altitude strips I5 and I6 are pivotally connected to each other and to the adjacent end of the strip on the longitude rings II and I0. Fixed on the polar-pin 6 between the ring II and bracket I2,

is a disc 2i having longitude graduations 22 on the margin and edge thereof, respectively coopcrating with pointer elements 23 and 24 fixed on thebracket I2 and ring. Another disc 25 is fixedon thepin 6 between the rings I8 and I I and has marginal longitude graduations 26 which cooperate with a pointer element 21 secured on the ring I0.

. The rings In and II, are graduated from 90 at the pins 6 and I down to zero half-way between, the latter, as at 28. The 180 degree arcu-. ate longitude strip I3 is graduated from 90 near the ends thereof to zero half-way between the ends of said strip I3. The 90 degree arcuate latitude strips 15 and I6 are graduated from 90 at pin I I to zero toward the free ends of said strips I5 and It that extend through the clamps I8 and 19. Set screws 29 and 30 extend through the rings I0 and II, respectively, and are ar-' ranged to impinge the under sides of the discs and 6. The clamps I8, I8a, I9 and Ilia cooperate.

with the graduations of the respective elements I5, II, I6 and I0. It will of course be understood that the zero graduations of rings I0 and II occur coincident with the equator of the 1 globe 5.

As shown more clearly in Figures3 and 4, each of the clamps I8, IBa, I9 and HM carries a clamping screw 34 whose inner end is swiveled to a clamping block 35 arranged to be tightly engaged with a separated edge of (the associated strip or ring I5 or I6 or in or II, so as to releasably secure the associated clamp and strip or clamp and ring in any desired'relatively adjusted position. i

In using the present device, observations are made on two selected adjacent heavenly bodies by conventional methods using a sextant. or a transit, and the positions of the heavenly bodies over the earths surface are found from the nau: tical almanac, for the instant of observation. On ring II), clamp No is set at the latitude over which one heavenly body was located on the earths surface at the time ofv observation, the clamp I9a being secured in this position. Ring I0 is then set and clamped by means of screw 29 in a position corresponding to the longitude over which this heavenly body was located on the:

earths surface at the time of observation, proper setting being had by use of the indicator element 2'! in connection with the graduations of disc 25.

Strip I6 is then slid until the reading at clamp I9 is the same as the angle of elevation (corrected for refraction) of the said heavenly body, clamp 69 being tightened to secure the strip I61 in this adjustment. Clamp I8a is then set on ring II at the latitude over which the other,

heavenly body was located at the time of observa tion, said clamp I8a being tightened to fix the adjustment. Ring I I is then rotated so as to set the same at the longitude at'which the second heavenly body was located at the time of ob-, servation, and clamp I8 is secured to fix this adjustment. The position of ring I I last mentioned is obtained by use of indicator element 24 in connection with the graduations of disc 2I. The strip I is then slid relative to clamp I8 until the reading on said clamp is the same as the angle of elevation (corrected for refraction) of the second-named heavenly body, clamp I8 being tightened to secure this adjustment. Strip I3, during these adjustments, has been free to.

slide through the bracket I2 and to rotate on pin 6 so that its longitude position may be noted by a reading of the pointer element 23 in connection with graduations of disc 2 I. The reading now on disc 2! is the longitude of the observer at the time of observation, and the reading on strip I3 is his latitude. As shown clearly in Figure '7, the pivot pin I'I extends inwardly into close proximity with the surface of the globe 5, as at 36, thereby correctly indicating the observers position on the earths surface. The graduations on rings I0 and I I are therefore in coincidence with latitudes of the globe, and the graduations on disc 2| are coincident with the longitudes of the globe '5.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the advantages of the present invention, will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

What I claim is;

1. A mechanical calculator of geographical positions from celestial observations, comprising a stationary globe, polar pins fixed to and pro jecting from the globe, two concentric longitude rings encircling the globe and rotatable on said pins, said rings being graduated from 90 at the pins to 0 midway between the pins, two discs centrally fixed on one of said pins and each having marginal degree graduations, one disc being located directly outwardly of one of the rings and the other disc being located directly outwardly of the other ring, pointer elements on the respective rings cooperating with the graduations of the respective discs, a guide bracket rotating from the globe, two concentric longitude rings encircling the globe and rotatable on said pins; said rings being graduated from 90 at the pins to 0 midway between the pins, two discs centrally fixed on one of said pins and each having marginal degree graduations, one disc being located directly outwardly of one of the rings and the other disc being located directly outwardly of the other ring, pointer elements on the respective rings cooperating with the graduations of the respective discs, a guide bracket rotatable on said one pin outwardly of the rings and discs, a 180 degree arcuate longitude strip slidably guided in said bracket and graduated from 90 adjacent the ends to, 0 midway between the ends, a pointer element carried by said guide bracket and cooperating with the graduations of said arcuate longitude strip, 90 degree arcuate altitude strips pivoted at corresponding ends to one end of the longitude strip, each altitude strip being graduated from 90 at their pivotally connected ends to 0 toward their opposite ends, clamps slidably adjustable on the respective 1 rings, and other clamps swiveled to the firstable on said one pin outwardy of the rings and discs, a 180 degree arcuate longitude strip slidably guided in said bracket and graduated from 90 adjacent the ends to 0 midway between the ends, a pointer element carried by said guide bracket and cooperating with the, graduations of said arcuate longitude strip, 90 degree arcuate altitude strips pivoted at corresponding ends to one end of the longitude strip, each altitude strip being graduated from 90 at their pivotally connected ends to 0 toward their opposite ends, clamps slidably adjustable on the respective rings, and other clamps swiveled to the first-named clamps and slidably adjustably receiving the said other ends of the respective altitude strips.

2. A mechanical calculator of geographical positi ons from celestial observations, comprising a stationary globe, polar pins fixed to and projectnamed clamps and slidably adjustably receiving the said other ends of the respective altitude strips, means to secure the ring in'rotatably adjusted positions with respect to said discs, and a pin pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the altitude and longitude strips and projecting inwardly to a point adjacent the surface of the globe.

3. A mechanical calculator of geographical positions from celestial observations, comprising a stationary globe, polar pins fixed to and projecting from the globe, two concentric longitude rings encircling the globe and rotatable on said pins, said rings being graduated from at the pins to 0 midway between the pins, two discs'ccntrally fixed on one of said pins and each havin marginal degree graduations, one disc being located directly outwardly of one of the rings and the other disc being located directly outwardly of the other ring, pointer elements on the respective rings cooperating with the graduations of the respective discs, a guide bracket rotatable on said one pin outwardly Of the rings and discs, a degree arcuate longitude strip slidably guided in said bracket and graduated from 90 adjacent the ends to 0 midway between the ends, a pointer element carried by said guide bracket and cooperating with the graduations of said arcuate longitude strip, 90 degree arcuate altitude strips pivoted at corresponding ends to one end of the longitude strip, eachaltitude strip being graduated from 90 at their pivotally connected ends to 0 toward their opposite ends, clamps slidably adjustable on the respective rings, and other clamps swiveled to the first-named clamps and slidably adjustably receiving the said other ends of the respective altitude strips, means their clamps.

LOUISE A. STEELE. 

